On the picket line

Machinists picket NWA at Super Bowl

The 4,300 members of the Aircraft Mechanics (AMFA) have taken every opportunity since they went on strike Aug. 20 to get their message across. They won’t quit until Northwest Airlines offers them a decent contract.

Their latest action was an in-your-face demonstration against Doug Steenland, NWA’s CEO. A member of the Super Bowl XL Host Committee, Steenland was scheduled to attend a gala at the Fox Theater on Jan. 30. Despite the fact that the union formally requested to picket there and the city okayed it, members of the FBI, Secret Service, ATF— which regulates tobacco and firearms—and Detroit police all tried to keep them away. But while progressive lawyers argued persuasively, the machinists muscled into position to hand out 300 flyers to those walking the red carpet.

As a message posted on the AMFA website on Feb. 1 read, “Mr. Steenland, we are not going away. Not ever. We are looking forward to negotiating a contract with you in the near future—or we can just keep on striking. You decide.”

Boeing machinists ratify new contract

The 1,500 machinists at Boeing plants in Alabama, California and Florida— represented by the International Asso ciation of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)—voted to ratify a new contract on Feb. 1. Negotiations on Jan. 27, according to IAM spokesperson Bob Wood, were the first productive talks since the strike began on Nov. 2.

Though Boeing did not increase the total financial amount in its pre-strike offer, it did change the medical plan, which was a major issue triggering the strike. Boeing agreed to lower deduc tibles and monthly premiums and to cap the maximum amount of premiums.

“For three months, we have fought Boeing to a standstill. We have taken on a giant like Boeing and persevered,” said Wood in a Jan. 28 IAM press release. “We are fighting a battle most people in this country have been unwilling or unable to take on. We are on strike not only for our families and communities, but for everyone who works for a living.”

Verizon workers vote on contract

On strike for 13 weeks, four Com munications Workers (CWA) locals in New York state voted on a new contract with Verizon Information Services on Feb. 2. According to the tentative agreement, the 300 Yellow Page workers will receive raises of about 3 percent per year beginning in April and their health plan contributions will be capped.

CWA members “should be proud for standing up for themselves and their brothers and sisters in a way that management never thought we were capable of,” said CWA District 1 Vice President Chris Shelton in a Jan. 27 CWA media release.

NPR charged with unfair labor practice

Nearly 100 skilled technicians, members of Communication Workers (CWA) Local 52031, filed an unfair labor practice charge against National Public Radio (NPR) after a non-technical employee was assigned to film an interview with Sen. Evan Bayh on Jan. 17.

The workers have been negotiating with NPR for months. They rejected a management proposal in December that “would have jeopardized jobs and quality” and “management has now acted to undermine the contract,” said Local President Mike Peach, in a Jan. 20 CWA media release.

“Management wants to shift greater amounts of what is highly skilled work to non-technical employees,” said Peach. “This demand not only is contrary to NPR management’s own policies requiring that it meet industry standards, but is an insult to the skilled and talented technicians who are responsible for a quality product.”

Union members in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., are asking newsmakers not to give interviews to NPR if field production is not done by a CWA technician. Peach also asked supporters to contact NPR to urge management to negotiate a fair agreement that affirms the role of trained technicians in producing a quality network.

IBM accused of not paying overtime

On Jan. 25, IBM was accused of denying overtime pay to tens of thousands of workers in California and New York.

A federal lawsuit claims that IBM violated federal and state labor laws by misclassifying full-time computer installation and maintenance workers as exempt from overtime. The suit also seeks an injunction to stop IBM from continuing this unfair labor practice.

Another recent IBM move to steal from its employees was ending its contribution to pensions.